How To: Shampoo & Condition with Gage for Men

Watch student Alissa Jackson and model Brooke Matthews teach you how to properly shampoo and condition short hair in 6 easy steps.

In this video we used Gage for Men shampoo & conditioner.

A History of Amber's

Characterized by its excellent hands-on education, fantastic service, and its sleek, modern appearance, Amber's Beauty School is not your average space.  Large graphics adorn grey walls, along with eye-catching pops of yellow, welcoming all to its cozy, yet industrial style feel.  Amber's is easily one of the sleekest, most modern facilities in Muncie.  Clients are greeted by friendly faces, talented students, and comfortable surroundings.  With a student base in the mid-50s, Amber's has steadily been growing since its new business owners, Brian and Brook Shrieve bought the company four years ago.  Yet, Amber's did not begin this way - passed down as a family business, Amber's Beauty School is rooted in humble beginnings, and small-town community.

Amber's Beauty School - Now

We sat down with Butch Shrieve, former owner of Amber's Beauty School and Brian's great-uncle, to uncover the history behind Amber's.
Tell me about the founders of Amber's. The name "Amber" comes from Amber Hunter.  She went to beauty school in Hillsboro, Il in the late 20s, and then decided to open her own school in Vandeleigh, Il.  Later on, around 1927, she decided to move the school to a larger town - Alton, Il on the Mississippi River.  At this time, the school was called Central Illinois School of Beauty Culture, and it was located on 401 Henry Street.   Amber's brother, George, had a job working on the railroad.  He decided to go to beauty school because the beauty industry was stable in the 20's, at the time of the Great Depression.  He graduated around 1928.
Amber's sister, Marjorie (Butch's mother) also wanted a part in the beauty industry.  Instead of attending beauty school, she received her education through apprentice training, which is about 2,000 hours of working in a salon.
The Central Illinois School of Beauty Culture was extremely successful - in the beginning year they did 1,000 machine permanents (now known as perms), and 999 the next year!

A machine permanent.

Why did Amber's move to Muncie? Amber's moved to Indiana in 1935.  The Indiana Beauty Board suggested South Bend or Muncie, and Amber and George picked Muncie because it was on the same railroad line George worked on.  In 1936, the name was changed to Amber's Beauty School.  At this time, the school was located on 803 E. Washington Street, and was owned by Amber, Bell Casey (Amber's sister), Marjorie, and her husband, George Shrieve.

George, Marjorie, and their son, Butch, outside of Amber's on E. Washington Street.

Are the other locations in Illinois still in existence? No, everything in Illinois is gone.
How important is the idea of family to Amber's? Family is the backbone of the business.  It's been passed down to family members, and we love this industry.  When I was young, my family lived above the school, so I was raised there.  In 1956, I attended beauty school, where I met my wife, Patricia.  We worked for Amber's and owned the business together for 52 years.
How does the community affect Amber's, and vice versa? Well, I'm 75, and I've lived here all my life.  Amber's has made a huge contribution to the community, with probably around 5,000 graduates trained in Jay, Blackford, Randolph, Henry, Madison, & Grant counties.

Far left: Pat & Butch inside Amber's in the 1960's.

In 1982, my wife Pat and I opened a new school location on White River Boulevard.  We trained vocational students and well as regular students.  We were busy back then - we had about 150 students at a time, about 250 customers in a day, and 13 instructors on duty.  One day we did 92 perms! What I've noticed about this industry is that it runs on a cycle.  About every 15 years it peaks, then evens out, then peaks again.  Now, the opportunity to make money is better, because clients come in every once in a while and splurge, instead of once a week.
What is your secret to success? You're gonna get paid, so don't worry about that.  Your job (as a hairdresser) is to make people feel better about themselves.  Hair is so important to women - I remember seeing women come in with a hospital bracelet on their wrists!  Also, your business and your employees have to have a personality.  The most successful employees are the ones that connect with clients.

Clients from a Style Show in the 1970's

Amber's now - making people feel good about themselves!

What are you most proud of in regards to Amber's? Beauty school is an art form.  Many students are into it - and they have a passion for it.  At Amber's, we are able to do a good job with the training and keep the cost down, way below other schools.  Also, we have extremely loyal clientele.  Some have been coming in for more than 50 years!

Meet the Student Series: Maria Muhlenkamp

It's time to meet more of our fabulous students! We chatted with Maria Muhlenkamp, a recent graduate from Amber's, about her journey through beauty school and her plans for the future.   

Maria Muhlenkamp, 18, shows us her pearly whites in the pedicure room.

A native from Jay County and a graduate from Jay County High School, 18 year old Maria has always loved doing hair.  In high school, she attended Amber's part time, and after graduation, transitioned to a full time student.  Her passion for this industry pushed her to follow her dreams and become what she's always wanted to be - a hairdresser!  

How did you get here? What led you to pursue this path?

I've always loved doing hair.  I started doing hair for weddings before I came to Amber's.  I found Amber's through Google, and it looked appealing, nice, and clean.  When I came in for my information session and tour, I loved it so much I signed up that day!

Tell me what you did as a student at Amber's:

As a student, you work on clients, do hair, and you study.  Before I graduated, I had spent a LOT of time studying!

Do you have a job lined up now that you've graduated?

Yes.  I'll be working as a hairdresser at Oasis Salon in Portland.  Eventually, though, I want to work at a salon in Coldwater, OH, where most of my family lives.

How do you feel like Amber's prepared you for getting your job?

Amber's teaches their student to be professional.  Something I'll always remember is to "treat clients like you would want to be treated".

What would you say to people who think beauty school doesn't compare to college or a real profession?

You're wrong! You can make just as much money as a hairdresser as you can being a nurse - and the schooling doesn't cost as much.  Also, you have to work hard to get through school.

What do you love most about Amber's?

You can make Amber's work for you.  Amber's will work around your schedule, and my relationships with the instructors and other students have been awesome.

What advice would you give to someone who was considering becoming a student at Amber's?

Try it! It doesn't take very long to get through the program if you work hard.  I would absolutely recommend it.

Maria poses at her station.

Good luck, Maria! We know you'll be successful!

DIY: Hair Bow

Ever wondered how to create a fabulous hair bow? Watch our tutorial by our students Carly and Brooke to unveil the secrets!

Meet the Students Series: Morgan Beeks

Ever wondered what its like to be a student at Amber's Beauty School?  We sat down with the bright and bubbly Morgan Beeks as she dished us the details.

Morgan Beeks, 18, smiles for the camera.

Hailing from Fairmount, IN, 18 year old Morgan recently graduated from Madison-Grant High School.  She attended Amber's part-time during her high school career, and upon graduation, started attending Amber's part-time as well.  Inspired by her great-grandma, who was a hairdresser and owned a salon in her house, Morgan always knew that beauty school was her calling.

How did you get to Amber's? What led you to pursue this path?

I've always loved doing hair and fashion, and I've always wanted to do it.  Senior year of high school I started looking around (for beauty schools) and I found Amber's.  I used Google to find different schools in Indiana and Amber's was also recommended by a hairdresser I knew.  Once I visited Amber's, I loved it, especially because it is modern.

Have you ever considered a different career?

I tried going to vocational school to become a nurse, but it didn't work out.  

Tell me what you do on a day to day basis.

I get here around 8:00 AM.  We have class (for part-time students) once a week, where we learn a chapter and take a test at the end of the week.  My favorite subjects so far have been Color and Makeup.  We spend the rest of our time working with clients.  Most of mine are older women, but I have some younger guys come in here too.

What are your long term goals?

Once I graduate in December, I want to go to Indy and try to get into one of the bigger salons.  Eventually I want to own my own salon one day.  I'd like to do everything that normal salons do, like waxing and manicures (along with hair), but I'd also like to travel to special events like weddings and do the hair and makeup there.

What do you love most about Amber's?

I feel like its a more modern school, so I learn more modern things, like haircuts.  Also, everyone gets along here so its a better climate.  They really live up to their motto (old school, new style).

What advice would you give to someone who was considering attending Amber's?

Yes! I would totally recommend going to Amber's.  You'll have a blast.  I've had so much fun, and learned so much.  Its been an overall great experience.

Morgan shows off her tools of the trade at her station.

Morgan relaxes at our pedicure station.